Assemblies for pulling, pushing, or blowing a plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables through a duct and assembling a fiber optic connector including the preterminated fiber optic cable after being pulled, pushed, or blown through the duct

ABSTRACT

An assembly for pulling, pushing, or blowing a plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables of a multi fiber cable through a duct includes a sleeve, a rod configured to be coupled with the sleeve, and a plurality of dust caps. The sleeve is configured to receive to be coupled with a multi fiber cable and to permit a plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables of the multi fiber cable to pass through the sleeve, and the rod includes a first end configured to be coupled with the sleeve. Each of the plurality of dust caps is configured to be coupled with a ferrule of one of the preterminated fiber optic cables, and each of the plurality of dust caps is configured to be coupled with the rod, thereby coupling the preterminated fiber optic cables with the rod. The preterminated fiber optic cables are configured to be assembled with a fiber optic connector, the deployment assembly has a cross-sectional footprint that is smaller than a cross-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connector that is configured to be assembled with the preterminated fiber optic cable, and the plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables are configured to be pushed, pulled, or blown together through a duct having an inner diameter than is less than a cross-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connector that is configured to be assembled with the preterminated fiber optic cable.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/191,549, filed May 21, 2021, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to preterminated multi-fiber drop cables,for example, multi-fiber drop cables having fibers terminated with an LC(Lucent Connector) connector sub-assembly. More particularly, thedisclosure relates to preterminated LC quattro, LC duo, or other LCmulti fiber drop cables and methods for deploying the preterminated LCquattro, LC due, or other LC multi fiber drop cables.

The mechanical tolerances involved in terminating single mode opticalfiber are much tighter than those for multimode optical fiber.Therefore, while it is quite common for multimode optical fiber to beterminated at the point of use, for example, at a user's premises or atan outside junction box, in most product applications, single modeoptical fiber is not terminated in the field. When single mode fibermust be terminated in the field, then it can take a skilled technicianbetween about 15 to 20 minutes to splice fibers together either by usinga V-groove clamp or expensive fusion welding equipment.

Single mode fiber is therefore often provided in a range of differentlengths, pre-terminated at both ends with a connector that is configuredto be connected with an outer housing after the pre-terminated end isdeployed to its desired location. The pre-terminated end and housing isthen ready to plug into a matching receptacle.

One example of such a connector is an LC connector. The LC connector andadapters were originally developed by Lucent Technologies. The LCconnector is a miniaturized version of the fiber optic SC (SubscriberConnector) connector, thus being also known as a small form factorconnector. The LC connector looks somewhat similar to the SC connectorbut is about half the size with a 1.25 mm ferrule instead of a 2.5 mmferrule. LC connectors are typically composed of a plastic housing withan RJ45 push-pull style clip.

Conventional optical fiber LC connectors comprise a rigid pushablestructure to allow for limited movement of the connector parts whilebeing pushed down stretches of a duct. However, some conventional fiberoptic cables include more than one fiber. For example, some fiber opticcables include two, four, or more fibers.

Conventional optical fiber LC connectors and LC connector sub-assembliesare not necessarily designed to minimize a cross-sectional footprintand, therefore, it is difficult to push multiple preterminated fibers ofa multi-fiber cable through a duct simultaneously.

Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a deployment assembly forpreterminated multi-fiber drop cables having a minimal cross-sectionalfootprint so that the multiple fibers can be easily and smoothly pushed,pulled, or blown through a duct. It may be desirable to provide an LCconnector that is field installable on a fiber optic cable preterminatedwith an LC sub-assembly after the preterminated fiber optic cable ispushed, pulled, or blown through the duct.

It may be desirable to provide a deployment assembly configured to becoupled with a plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables and toprovide a cross-sectional footprint that is smaller than across-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connector that is configuredto be assembled with the preterminated fiber optic cable such that theplurality of fiber optic cables can be easily and smoothly pushed,pulled, or blown together through a duct having an inner diameter thanis less than a footprint the fiber optic connector. It may be desirableto provide a fiber optic connector configured to be field assembled withthe plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables after the plurality offiber optic cables are pushed, pulled, or blown together through a ductand the deployment assembly is removed from the plurality ofpreterminated fiber optic cables.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, assembly forpulling, pushing, or blowing a plurality of preterminated fiber opticcables of a multi fiber cable through a duct includes a sleeve, a rodconfigured to be coupled with the sleeve, and a plurality of dust caps.The sleeve is configured to receive to be coupled with a multi fibercable and to permit a plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables ofthe multi fiber cable to pass through the sleeve, and the rod includes afirst end configured to be coupled with the sleeve. Each of theplurality of dust caps is configured to be coupled with a ferrule of oneof the preterminated fiber optic cables, and each of the plurality ofdust caps is configured to be coupled with the rod, thereby coupling thepreterminated fiber optic cables with the rod. The preterminated fiberoptic cables are configured to be assembled with a fiber opticconnector, the deployment assembly has a cross-sectional footprint thatis smaller than a cross-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connectorthat is configured to be assembled with the preterminated fiber opticcable, and the plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables areconfigured to be pushed, pulled, or blown together through a duct havingan inner diameter than is less than a cross-sectional footprint of afiber optic connector that is configured to be assembled with thepreterminated fiber optic cable.

According to various aspects, the assembly further includes a protectivesleeve configured to surround the sleeve, the ferrule assemblies of thepreterminated fiber optic cables, and/or the dust caps. In some aspects,the protective sleeve is a Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) protectivesleeve.

In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure a method of deployingpreterminated fiber optic cables to a desired location includesproviding the aforementioned deployment assembly, feeding thepreterminated ends of the fiber optic cables of the multi fiber cablethrough the sleeve, sliding the sleeve over an end of the multi fibercable, crimping an inner sleeve portion of the sleeve onto the end ofthe multi fiber cable, inserting the second end of the rod into an outersleeve portion of the sleeve, potting the fiber optic cables and the rodin the outer sleeve portion of the sleeve, with the dust caps on theferrules, coupling the attachment structures of the dust caps to therod, and pushing, pulling, and/or blowing the rod with the attachedpreterminated fiber optic cables through a duct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be further described, by way ofexample only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary deployment assembly for amulti fiber cable in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the deployment assembly for a multi fiber cableof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the deployment assembly for a multi fiber cableof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the deployment assembly for a multi fiber cableof FIG. 1 including a protective sleeve;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary field assembledfiber optic connector in accordance with various aspects of thedisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exemplary field assembled fiberoptic connector of FIG. 5 during assembly;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the exemplary field assembled fiber opticconnector of FIG. 5 during assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exemplary field assembled fiberoptic connector of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary field assembled fiberoptic connector of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule assembly of thedeployment assembly for a multi fiber cable of FIG. 1 and the fieldassembled fiber optic connector of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the field assembledfiber optic connector of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the body of the field assembledfiber optic connector of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a first perspective view of another exemplary deploymentassembly for a multi fiber cable in accordance with various aspects ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a second perspective view of the deployment assembly for amulti fiber cable of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a first side view of the deployment assembly for a multifiber cable of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 16 is a second side view of the deployment assembly for a multifiber cable of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an exemplary deployment assembly 100 for pushing,pulling, and/or blowing multiple preterminated fiber optic cables of amulti fiber cable 102 through a duct. In the illustrated embodiment, themulti fiber cable 102 includes four fiber optic cables 104. Of course,in various embodiments, the multi fiber cable 102 may include more orless than four fiber optic cables. Each of the four fiber optic cables104 is terminated with a ferrule assembly 150, for example, an LCferrule assembly. Thus, in such an embodiment, the preterminated multifiber cable 102 may be referred to as an LC quattro.

As best shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 10, the ferrule assembly 150 includes aferrule holder 152 having an outer sleeve portion 153 and an innersleeve portion 155. Referring to FIG. 10, the inner sleeve portion 155is configured to be received in the outer sleeve portion 153. The innersleeve portion 155 includes a flanged portion 155′ at its forward end,and the outer sleeve portion 153 includes a stepped portion 153′configured to define a shoulder having a forward facing surface 153″.The inner sleeve portion 155 is configured to be received in a forwardend of the outer sleeve portion 153 and can be slid axially through theouter sleeve portion 153 to a position where the flanged portion 155′engages the stepped portion 153′.

A ferrule 154 is configured to be seated in an outer sleeve portion ofthe outer sleeve portion 153 of the ferrule holder 152 forward of theflanged portion 155′ of the inner sleeve portion. A spring 156 isconfigured to be seated in an annular channel 157 at rear portion of theouter sleeve portion 153 between an inner wall 159 of the outer sleeveportion 153 of the ferrule holder 152 and an outer wall of the innersleeve portion, as best shown in FIG. 10. An outer surface of theferrule holder 152 includes two flatted regions 151 on opposite sides ofthe ferrule holder 152. The ferrule 154 may be a cylindrical ceramicferrule. The ferrule assembly 150 preterminates an end 105 of a fiberoptic cable 104, which includes a buffer tube 106 that surrounds andprotects a fiber 107. A dust cap 158 is configured to be received overand cover the ferrule 154 to protect the ferrule 154 and the fiber 107in the ferrule 154. The dust cap 158 includes an attachment structure160, which is described in more detail below.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 4, the deployment assembly 100 includes asleeve 110, for example, a crimp sleeve, having a through bore 112. Thesleeve 110 is sized such that the ferrule assemblies 150 of thepreterminated fiber optic cables 104 and the multi fiber cable 102 canbe received in the sleeve 110 and the sleeve 110 can be crimped onto anend of the multi fiber cable 102. For example, the preterminated fiberoptic cables 104 can be inserted, one at a time, from a rear end of thesleeve 110 and out of a forward end of the sleeve 110 until the multifiber cable 102 is at a position in the sleeve 110 such that the sleeve110 can be crimped thereon.

The deployment assembly 100 also includes a rod 120 such as, forexample, a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) rod. The rod 120 may becoupled with a forward end of the sleeve 110, for example, the rod 120may be potted inside of the sleeve 110. In some aspects, the rod 120 mayinclude a pulling hook 122 at a first end 124 of the rod 120. Thepulling hook 122 may include a through hole 126 extending in atransverse direction relative to a longitudinal dimension of the rod120.

With the dust caps 158 on the ferrules 154, the attachment structures160 are configured to couple the dust caps 158 and thus thepreterminated ends 105 of the fiber optic cables 104 to the rod 120. Forexample, the attachment structure 160 may include a C-shaped projection162 configured to snap onto the rod 120. As would be understood bypersons skilled in the art, the C-shaped projection 162 has an opening164 slightly smaller than an outside diameter of the rod 120 and issufficiently flexible to expand to receive the rod 120 and then returntoward its non-expanded configuration after it is snapped onto the rod120.

In some aspects, the deployment assembly 110 may include a protectivesleeve 130 that is configured to surround the sleeve 110, the buffertubes 106, the ferrule assemblies 150 of the preterminated fiber opticcables 104, and/or the dust caps 158. As shown in FIG. 4, the sleeve 130may surround at least a portion of the sleeve 110 and may extend fromthe sleeve 130 to a location beyond the forwardmost dust cap 158 andattachment structure 160 such that the protective sleeve is configuredto protect the buffer tubes 106, the ferrule assemblies 150 of thepreterminated fiber optic cables 104, the dust caps 158, and theattachment structure 160 as the deployment assembly 110 is pulled,pushed, or blown through a duct. In some aspects, the protective sleeve130 may comprise, for example, a Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)protective sleeve, which may be configured to reduce friction betweenthe duct and the deployment assembly 110 during the pulling, pushing, orblowing.

The preterminated ends 105 of the fiber optic cables 104 of the multifiber cable 102 are configured to be fed through the sleeve 110. Thesleeve 110 is configured to be the slid over an end 103 of the multifiber cable 102, and an inner sleeve portion 114 of the sleeve 110 isconfigured to be crimped onto the end 103 of the multi fiber cable 102.A second end 128 of the rod 120 is configured to be inserted into anouter sleeve portion 116 of the sleeve 110, and the fiber optic cables104 and the rod 120 may be potted in the outer sleeve portion 116 of thesleeve 110.

In some aspects, the preterminated ends 105 of the fiber optic cables104 of the multi fiber cable 102 may be fed through the sleeve 110 withthe dust caps 158 on the ferrules 154. In some aspects, thepreterminated ends 105 of the fiber optic cables 104 of the multi fibercable 102 may be fed through the sleeve 110 without the dust caps 158,and the dust caps 158 are slid on the ferrules 154 after the fiber opticcables 104 are fed through the sleeve 110.

With the dust caps 158 on the ferrules 154, the attachment structures160 are configured to couple the dust caps 158 and thus thepreterminated ends 105 of the fiber optic cables 104 to the rod 120. Forexample, the attachment structure 160 may include a C-shaped projection162 configured to snap onto the rod 120. As would be understood bypersons skilled in the art, the C-shaped projection 162 has an opening164 slightly smaller than an outside diameter of the rod 120 and issufficiently flexible to expand to receive the rod 120 and then returntoward its non-expanded configuration after it is snapped onto the rod120.

As illustrated, the rod 120 has a length that is greater than a lengthof the longest buffer tube 106 that extends from the multi fiber cable102. Lengths of the buffer tubes 106 of the fiber optic cables 104 thatextend from the multi fiber cable 102 are different so that theattachment structures 160 can be spaced along a length of the rod 120without bending or buckling the fiber optic cables 104 beyond a minimumbend radius. It should be appreciated that the rod 120 is configured tobe sufficiently rigid to be pushed, pulled, or blown through a duct andsufficiently flexible to navigate turns in the duct.

In a case where the deployment assembly 150 is to be pulled through aduct, an installer can insert a hook or any other coupling arrangement(not shown) through the through hole 126 of the pulling hook 122 at thefirst end 124 of the rod 120. The hook or other coupling arrangement iscoupled with a pulling mechanism, which can be used to pull thedeployment assembly 150, and thus the fiber optic cables 104 through theduct. Alternatively, the deployment assembly 150 may be pushed or blowthrough the duct, as would be understood by persons skilled in the art.

After the fiber optic cables 104 are deployed to a desired location, therod 120 can be removed from the sleeve 110. In some embodiments, thesleeve 110 may also be removed from the multi fiber cable 102 and slidover the preterminated ends 105 of the fiber optic cables 104 with orwithout the dust caps 158 on the ferrules 154.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, an exemplary field assembled fiber opticconnector 195 is illustrated and described. Once the fiber optic cables104 are deployed to a desired location, each of the preterminated ends105 of the fiber optic cables 104 can be coupled with a body 170, ahousing 180, and a boot 190 to form the connector 195, for example, anLC connector.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7 and 12, the body 170 includes a substantiallycylindrical forward end portion 171, a rearward end portion 172, asubstantially square middle portion 178 between the forward end portion171 and the rearward end portion 172, and a radial slot 173 that extendsfrom a top 174 of the body 170 to a center 175 of the body along thefull length of the body 170 from the forward end portion 171 to therearward end portion 172. The radial slot 173 is sized to receive thebuffer tube 106 and permit the buffer tube 106 to be disposed at thecenter 175 of the body 170. The forward end portion 171 includes a bore176 having a circular cross section with a diameter that is greater thana dimension of the radial slot 173 in a direction perpendicular to theradial direction from the top 174 to the center 175 of the body 170 andperpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the body 170. The bore176 includes a first portion 176′ sized to slidingly receive the spring156 and the rear stem portion 155 surrounded by the spring 156 and asecond portion 176″ having a smaller inside diameter than the firstportion 176′ so as to define a forward facing shoulder 176 a. A rear endof the spring 156 is configured to engage the shoulder 176 a, as shownin FIG. 9. The bore 176 may include a third portion 176′″ having alarger inside diameter than the first portion 176′ and being configuredto guide the spring 156 into the first portion 176′ of the bore 176. Asshown in FIGS. 5-7, an outer surface of the forward end portion 171includes two notches 179 on opposite lateral sides of the forward endportion 171. The rearward end portion 172 includes a barbed outersurface 177 configured to receive the boot 190 thereon. The boot 190 isconfigured to provide strain relief for the cable fiber optic cable 105and a weather resistant seal at the rearward end of the connector 195.

The housing 180, for example, an LC housing, is configured in asubstantially square shape with a release lever 181 projecting outwardfrom a top wall 182 of the housing 180, as is typical with conventionalLC connectors. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the housing 180 includes athrough bore 183 configured to receive the ferrule assembly 150 and thebody 170 such that the ferrule 154 can be exposed at a front end 184 ofthe housing 180. An inner surface of the top wall 182 of the housing 180includes an alignment rib 185. The alignment rib 185 is configured to bereceived by the radial slot 173 in the top wall of the body 170 andextending the length of the body 170. The substantially square shape ofthe inner walls of the housing 180 and the substantially square middleportion 178 of the body also facilitate alignment of the housing 180with the body 170. These alignment features also prevent relativerotation between the body 170 and the housing 180. Meanwhile, the twoflattened regions 151 on the outer surface of the ferrule holder 152cooperate with complementary interior surfaces 184′ of the housing 180to facilitate alignment of the housing 180 with the ferrule assembly 150and prevent relative rotation between the ferrule assembly 150 and thehousing 180.

The housing 180 further includes side walls 186 having resilient fingers187 extending inward into the through bore 183. Each of the resilientfingers 187 is cantilevered at its rear end 188, and the free forwardend 189 of each finger 187 is configured to engage one of the notches179 in the outer surface on opposite lateral sides of the forward endportion 171 when the body 170 is inserted into the housing 180 to couplethe housing 180 with the ferrule assembly 150.

To field assemble the connector 195, the boot 190 is configured to beslid over one of the deployed ferrule assemblies 150 and the fiber opticcable 104 preterminated by the ferrule assembly 150. The fiber opticcable 104 is configured to be inserted into the radial slot 173 of thebody 170. In some aspects, the ferrule assembly 150 is configured to beinserted into the housing 180 using the two flattened regions 151 on theouter surface of the ferrule holder 152 and complementary interiorsurfaces 184′ of the housing 180 to facilitate alignment of the housing180 with the ferrule assembly 150. The body 170 configured to be slidaxially in a direction toward the ferrule 154. The forward facingshoulder 176 a of the body 170 is configured to engage and compress thespring 156. The body 170 is configured to be slid further in the axialdirection using the alignment rib 185 and the radial slot 173 foralignment until the free forward ends 189 of the resilient fingers 187of the housing 180 engage the notches 179 in the outer surface of theforward end portion 171 of the body 170 to secure the body 170 andferrule assembly 150 to the housing 180. The dust cap 158 needs to beremoved from the ferrule 154 before the ferrule assembly 150 is insertedinto the housing 180 and should be placed back on the ferrule 154 afterthe body 170 and ferrule assembly 150 are secured to the housing 180.

In another aspect, after the fiber optic cable 104 is inserted into theradial slot 173 of the body 170, the body 170 can be slid in a directiontoward the ferrule 154 until a forward facing shoulder of the body 170engages and compresses the spring 156. The body 170 and the ferruleassembly 150 are configured to be slid further in the axial directionusing the alignment rib 185 and the radial slot 173 for alignment untilthe free forward ends 189 of the resilient fingers 187 of the housing180 engage the notches 179 in the outer surface of the forward endportion 171 of the body 170 to secure the body 170 and ferrule assembly150 to the housing 180.

Thus, the deployment assembly 100 is configured to be coupled with aplurality of preterminated fiber optic cables and to provide across-sectional footprint that is smaller than a cross-sectionalfootprint of a fiber optic connector that is configured to be assembledwith the preterminated fiber optic cable such that the plurality offiber optic cables can be easily and smoothly pushed, pulled, or blowntogether through a duct having an inner diameter than is less than afootprint the fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector isconfigured to be field assembled with the plurality of preterminatedfiber optic cables after the plurality of fiber optic cables are pushed,pulled, or blown together through a duct and the deployment assembly isremoved from the plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables.

It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the rod 120 caninclude an attachment structure similar to the attachment structure 160described above, and the dust cap 158 can be replaced with a cylindricaldust cap with no attachment structure. In such embodiments, theattachment structure of the rod can clip onto the cylindrical dust cap.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, an alternative deployment assembly 200 forpushing, pulling, and/or blowing multiple preterminated fiber opticcables of a multi fiber cable through a duct. The deployment assembly200 includes a sleeve 210, for example, a crimp sleeve, having a throughbore 212. The sleeve 210 is sized such that the ferrule assemblies 150of the preterminated fiber optic cables 104 and the multi fiber cable102 can be received in the sleeve 210 and the sleeve 210 can be crimpedonto an end of the multi fiber cable 102. For example, the preterminatedfiber optic cables 104 can be inserted, one at a time, from a rear endof the sleeve 210 and out of a forward end of the sleeve 210 until themulti fiber cable 102 is at a position in the sleeve 210 such that thesleeve 210 can be crimped thereon.

The deployment assembly 200 also includes a rod 220 such as, forexample, a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) rod. The rod 220 extends froma forward end of the sleeve 210 to an end portion 224. The rod 220 mayinclude a first portion 221 configured to extend from the sleeve 210 anda second portion 223 configured to extend from the first portion 221 tothe end portion 224. The fiber optic cables 104 may be potted inside ofthe sleeve 210. In some aspects, the rod 220 may include a pulling hookat the end portion 224 similar to the pulling hook 122 described above.

The second portion 223 of the rod 220 includes a plurality of cutouts222, each configured to receive a ferrule assembly 150 of one of thepreterminated fiber optic cables 104. The second portion 223 and the endportion 224 of the rod 220 comprise an outer diameter configured to bepulled, pushed, or blown through a duct. The cutouts 222 are configuredto receive the ferrule assemblies 150 such that that ferrule assemblies150 do not extend radially beyond the outer diameter of the secondportion 223 of the rod 220.

As best shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the second portion 223 may include acircumferential notch 230 at a rearward end of each cutout 222. Thenotches 230 are configured to permit the respective fiber optic cable104 to be inserted into the respective notch 230 and routed to alongitudinal channel 232 configured to extend to the sleeve 210 suchthat the fiber optic cables 104 do not extend radially beyond the outerdiameter of the second portion 223 of the rod 220.

Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments describedabove, where one or more of its components, functionalities orstructures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or moreof the components, functionalities, or structures of a differentembodiment described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to theembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed inthe foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in theart that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure willcome to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the presentdisclosure, nor the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly for pulling, pushing, or blowing aplurality of preterminated fiber optic cables of a multi fiber cablethrough a duct having a cross sectional footprint smaller than across-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connectors configured to beconnected to the plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables,comprising: a sleeve; a rod configured to be coupled with the sleeve; aplurality of dust caps; a protective sleeve; wherein the sleeve isconfigured to receive to be crimped onto a multi fiber cable and topermit a plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables of the multifiber cable to pass through the sleeve; wherein the rod includes a firstend configured to be coupled with the sleeve and a free second end;wherein each of the plurality of dust caps is configured to be coupledwith a ferrule of one of the preterminated fiber optic cables; whereineach of the plurality of dust caps that is coupled with the ferrule ofone of the predetermined fiber optic cables is configured to include anattachment structure configured to be coupled with the rod, therebycoupling the preterminated fiber optic cables with the rod; wherein theprotective sleeve is configured to surround a portion of the sleeve, therod, and the plurality of dust caps; wherein the preterminated fiberoptic cables are configured to be assembled with a fiber opticconnector; wherein the deployment assembly has a cross-sectionalfootprint that is smaller than a cross-sectional footprint of a fiberoptic connector that is configured to be assembled with thepreterminated fiber optic cable; wherein the plurality of preterminatedfiber optic cables are configured to be pushed, pulled, or blowntogether through a duct having an inner diameter than is less than across-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connector that is configuredto be assembled with the preterminated fiber optic cable.
 2. Theassembly of claim 1, further comprising a fiber optic connectorconfigured to be field assembled with the plurality of preterminatedfiber optic cables after the plurality of fiber optic cables are pushed,pulled, or blown together through a duct and the deployment assembly isremoved from the plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables.
 3. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment structure comprises a clipconfigured to be clipped onto the rod.
 4. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the clips are configured to be clipped onto the rod sequentiallyalong a length of the rod.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the freesecond end of the rod includes a pulling hook.
 6. The assembly of claim1, wherein the rod is configured to be removed from the sleeve.
 7. Anassembly for pulling, pushing, or blowing a plurality of preterminatedfiber optic cables of a multi fiber cable through a duct having a crosssectional footprint smaller than a cross-sectional footprint of a fiberoptic connectors configured to be connected to the plurality ofpreterminated fiber optic cables, comprising: a sleeve; a rod configuredto be coupled with the sleeve; a plurality of dust caps; wherein thesleeve is configured to receive to be crimped onto a multi fiber cableand to permit a plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables of themulti fiber cable to pass through the sleeve; wherein the rod includes afirst end configured to be coupled with the sleeve and a free secondend; wherein each of the plurality of dust caps is configured to becoupled with a ferrule of one of the preterminated fiber optic cables;wherein each of the plurality of dust caps that is coupled with theferrule of one of the predetermined fiber optic cables is configured tobe coupled with the rod, thereby coupling the preterminated fiber opticcables with the rod; wherein the preterminated fiber optic cables areconfigured to be assembled with a fiber optic connector; wherein thedeployment assembly has a cross-sectional footprint that is smaller thana cross-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connector that isconfigured to be assembled with the preterminated fiber optic cable;wherein the plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables are configuredto be pushed, pulled, or blown together through a duct having an innerdiameter than is less than a cross-sectional footprint of a fiber opticconnector that is configured to be assembled with the preterminatedfiber optic cable.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising afiber optic connector configured to be field assembled with theplurality of preterminated fiber optic cables after the plurality offiber optic cables are pushed, pulled, or blown together through a ductand the deployment assembly is removed from the plurality ofpreterminated fiber optic cables.
 9. The assembly of claim 7, whereineach of the plurality of dust caps that is coupled with the ferrule ofone of the predetermined fiber optic cables is configured to include anattachment structure configured to be coupled with the rod, therebycoupling the preterminated fiber optic cables with the rod.
 10. Theassembly of claim 9, wherein the attachment structure comprises a clipconfigured to be clipped onto the rod.
 11. The assembly of claim 10,wherein the clips are configured to be clipped onto the rod sequentiallyalong a length of the rod.
 12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the freesecond end of the rod includes a pulling hook.
 13. The assembly of claim7, wherein the rod is configured to be removed from the sleeve.
 14. Theassembly of claim 7, further comprising a protective sleeve configuredto surround a portion of the sleeve, the rod, and the plurality of dustcaps.
 15. An assembly for pulling, pushing, or blowing a plurality ofpreterminated fiber optic cables of a multi fiber cable through a ducthaving a cross sectional footprint smaller than a cross-sectionalfootprint of a fiber optic connectors configured to be connected to theplurality of preterminated fiber optic cables, comprising: a sleeve; arod configured to be coupled with the sleeve; a plurality of dust caps;wherein the sleeve is configured to receive to be coupled with a multifiber cable and to permit a plurality of preterminated fiber opticcables of the multi fiber cable to pass through the sleeve; wherein therod includes a first end configured to be coupled with the sleeve;wherein each of the plurality of dust caps is configured to be coupledwith a ferrule of one of the preterminated fiber optic cables; whereineach of the plurality of dust caps is configured to be coupled with therod, thereby coupling the preterminated fiber optic cables with the rod;wherein the preterminated fiber optic cables are configured to beassembled with a fiber optic connector; wherein the deployment assemblyhas a cross-sectional footprint that is smaller than a cross-sectionalfootprint of a fiber optic connector that is configured to be assembledwith the preterminated fiber optic cable; wherein the plurality ofpreterminated fiber optic cables are configured to be pushed, pulled, orblown together through a duct having an inner diameter than is less thana cross-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connector that isconfigured to be assembled with the preterminated fiber optic cable. 16.The assembly of claim 15, further comprising a fiber optic connectorconfigured to be field assembled with the plurality of preterminatedfiber optic cables after the plurality of fiber optic cables are pushed,pulled, or blown together through a duct and the deployment assembly isremoved from the plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables.
 17. Theassembly of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of dust caps that iscoupled with the ferrule of one of the predetermined fiber optic cablesis configured to include an attachment structure configured to becoupled with the rod, thereby coupling the preterminated fiber opticcables with the rod.
 19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein theattachment structure comprises a clip configured to be clipped onto therod.
 20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the clips are configured tobe clipped onto the rod sequentially along a length of the rod.
 21. Theassembly of claim 18, wherein the free second end of the rod includes apulling hook.
 22. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the rod isconfigured to be removed from the sleeve.
 23. The assembly of claim 15,further comprising a protective sleeve configured to surround a portionof the sleeve, the rod, and the plurality of dust caps.